TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote an article in the French newspaper Le Monde saying that while thoughtfulness and reasonable analysis would secure success in achieving a nuclear comprehensive agreement, delusions and miscalculations could lead to a new missed opportunity.

The article was published on Tuesday, one day before the start of marathon nuclear talks between Iran and the major powers (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany, known as the 5+1 group) in Vienna.

The negotiators from Iran and the 5+1 powers are expected to clinch a final and comprehensive deal by July 20. However, the deadline can be extended by another half year if both sides agree.

The talks are intended to build on the interim Geneva deal according to which Iran agreed not to expand its nuclear program for six months in exchange for limited sanctions relief. The agreement came into force on January 20.

Following is an excerpt of the article:

Iran has the political will to reach a long term comprehensive deal. However, the talks can lead to a successful result only if all sides are determined to find solutions which will be acceptable to both sides and in line with the agreed goals based on the Geneva deal which guarantee that Iran’s nuclear program is totally peaceful and remove all the multilateral sanctions and the ones imposed by the Security Council.

The Geneva agreement, which was a historic, revolves around two major points. The first one is that the West acknowledge that Iran has right to defend its rights and dignity, and the second is that Iran proves that its nuclear program is peaceful.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could observe Iran’s fulfillment of its commitments.

Iran has had best cooperation with the IAEA during recent years and will pursue this path in line with achieving its national security priorities.

Iran has nothing to hide and its nuclear program is totally peaceful and it is only intended to meet civilian needs.

NA/PA

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